A primary care intervention to expedite cancer diagnosis: protocol for the ThinkCancer! phase III trial

Walker, Daniel, Dibeschl, Stephanie, Raman, Kausthuba, Hendry, Annie, Evans, Clio, McFadzean, Isobel Joy, Brain, Kate ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9296-9748 and Carson-Stevens, Andrew ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7580-7699 2026. A primary care intervention to expedite cancer diagnosis: protocol for the ThinkCancer! phase III trial. British Journal of General Practice Open 10.3399/bjgpo.2026.0029

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Abstract

Background Five-year cancer survival rates in the United Kingdom (UK) compare poorly with other high-income countries and a comparatively late stage of cancer diagnosis is a key driver. Primary care referrals led to 58.6% of cancer diagnoses in the UK in 2020, making general practice the ideal setting for targeted interventions focusing on improving early cancer diagnosis. ThinkCancer! is an innovative, team-based, theoretically-driven, complex behavioural and educational intervention aimed at reducing primary care cancer diagnostic delays. Aim The aim of this phase III randomised control trial is to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the ThinkCancer! intervention compared with usual primary care. An embedded case note review will characterise patients with the longest intervals to referral. Design & setting General practices will be randomised on a 1:1 ratio to either receive the ThinkCancer! Intervention, or to continue with usual care. Method Data will be collected from 12 months pre-randomisation to 26 months post-randomisation. Primary outcome measures include the primary care interval (PCI), incremental cost per day reduction in PCI and budget impact of the ThinkCancer! intervention. Secondary outcome measures include referral rates, conversion and detection rates, cancer stage at diagnosis and the guideline interval. A process evaluation will assess intervention implementation. Qualitative interviews will explore patient and carer experiences of urgent suspected cancer referral, and an embedded case note review will explore factors which contribute to the longest primary care intervals for patients with different cancer types. Results The trial began in December 2022 with findings expected December 2027.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Schools > Medicine
Additional Information:	Full author list can be seen here https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgpo.2026.0029
Publisher:	Royal College of General Practitioners
ISSN:	2398-3795
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	9 September 2026
Date of Acceptance:	29 May 2026
Last Modified:	09 Sep 2026 13:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/189518

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